Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG)
SEWARD TOWERS REPORT: Tav Buechler, a program coordinator at the Seward Towers Advantage Centers (East and West buildings), provided information about the affordable housing complexes at 2910 Franklin Ave. E. and 2515 S. 9th St. The towers serve around 900 residents, including families, elderly people and some immigrants, he said.
Over half of residents are of East African, 17 percent are Caucasian seniors and the elderly Somali population is growing, he said. A social worker is available on-site. Additional social services, tutoring and amenities are provided to residents. To volunteer or to learn more about the towers, contact program coordinator Tav Buechler at 288-0756.
SEWING CIRCLE AT SEWARD TOWERS: Board members approved a motion to donate $308 to revive a popular sewing circle at the Seward Advantage Towers (East and West) at 2910 Franklin Ave. E. and 2515 S. 9th St. The Board will also forward a letter of support for the initiative.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT: Ward 2 City Council Member Cam Gordon summarized recent happenings in City Hall. He said community members would be able to give their input on the Hexagon Bar’s application for a sidewalk café license.
Other news: a patch of 7th Street is undergoing a surface-level redesign, nearby U of M Medical Center, Fairview Hospital, which has multiple campuses, is expanding, he said; and he encouraged community members to apply to participate in the soon-to-be-formed community engagement task force to study community groups.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Although the neighborhood group expected to receive at least $100,000 from NRP, they’ve been notified recently that the predicted funds are currently unavailable. Whether or not some of those funds may become available later hasn’t yet been determined.
SNG Executive Director Lori Stone said the group has been advised by the NRP office to put remaining NRP dollars toward housing projects. Some board members raised questions about how to facilitate that kind of disbursement, since the budget won’t allow for a coordinator to coordinate funding to housing projects.
FRANKLIN AVENUE DEVELOPMENT: There was discussion about development of Franklin Avenue, with at least one community member expressing concern that it’s progressing with little feedback from residents. Other board members disagreed, stating that nothing has been decided about how the streetscape will be redefined.
SEWARD COOP: A meeting to discuss reuse of the Seward Coop building at 2111 Franklin Ave. E. is slated for Thursday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at Matthews Park, 2318 28th Ave. S. Highpoint Center for Printmaking, currently located on Lyndale Avenue, has expressed interest in the site, according to SNG staffer Lori Stone.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE: The Board approved a motion (pending SNG staffer Lori Stone’s ultimate approval) to apply to the Minneapolis Energy Challenge Small Grant Program to encourage saving energy in Seward.
Next meeting: Wednesday, June 27
7 p.m.; call for location
Contact:
Seward Neighborhood Group
2323 E. Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-338-6205
www.sng.org
last revised: May 29, 2007